Problematic internet use, related psychosocial behaviors, healthy lifestyle, and subjective health complaints in adolescents

Aija Klavina (Corresponding Author), Viktors Veliks, Anna Zusa, Juris Porozovs, Aleksandrs Aniscenko, Luize Bebrisa-Fedotova

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)
5 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we explored Internet use-associated psychosocial behavior problems in relationship to adolescents’ subjective health complaints and healthy lifestyle habits. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of Latvian adolescents (N = 570, age range 11-19 years) completed a survey. Problematic Internet use (PIU) was assessed by the Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS) that measures social impairment, emotional impairment, and risky/impulsive Internet use. Subjective health complaints assessed were somatic complaints and psychological complaints. Healthy lifestyle behaviors assessed were daily physical activity, time spent using information technologies (IT), eating habits, and sleep duration. Results: We found that 27.02 % (N = 154) of the participants scored at risk for PIU with significantly higher PIU mean scores in 15-16-year-old girls (p <.05). Also, 15-16-year-old girls reported significantly higher prevalence of subjective health symptoms than boys and girls in other age groups (p <.05). There were statistically significant associations between PIU-related psychosocial behaviors and subjective health complaints and limited physical activity (p <.01). Conclusions: PIU behaviors, subjective health complaints and lack healthy lifestyles were common in adolescents in this study with a significantly high prevalence in 15-16-year-old girls.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)451-464
Number of pages14
JournalHealth Behavior and Policy Review
Volume8
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2021

Keywords*

  • Adolescent health
  • Internet use
  • Latvian youth
  • Lifestyle behaviors
  • Psychosocial behavior
  • Somatic complaints

Field of Science*

  • 3.3 Health sciences
  • 5.1 Psychology

Publication Type*

  • 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database

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